Guests attend an unveiling of a new animatronic exhibit called, The Lincoln Memorial Shrine Presents: Reflections of the Face of Lincoln,” while standing by an older statue of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Garner Holt, with Garner Holt Productions, stands in the back as guest take their seats to watch his new animatronic exhibit, The Lincoln Memorial Shrine Presents: Reflections of the Face of Lincoln,” at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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A new animatronic exhibit, The Lincoln Memorial Shrine Presents: Reflections of the Face of Lincoln,” was unveiled at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Garner Holt, with Garner Holt Productions, stands by his new animatronic exhibit, The Lincoln Memorial Shrine Presents: Reflections of the Face of Lincoln,” at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

An exhibit opening Saturday, July 7, at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will help visitors experience what it was like to meet the nation’s 16th president.

“Reflections of the Face of Lincoln” by Garner Holt Productions is the latest addition to the Redlands-based museum that focuses on the life and legacy of Lincoln and the events surrounding the Civil War.

The immersive presentation uses the latest animatronics technology to highlight Lincoln’s story through his own words and music tailored to the 19th Century.

“The Lincoln shrine is a major piece of Redlands history,” said Garner Holt, president of the San Bernardino-based production company that’s relocating to Redlands.

“So much of my family history was based in Redlands, and I remember touring the shrine when I was six or seven years old with my school, walking through here and looking through things, and never knowing what things were going to be like 45 years later or more.”

The project had been years in the making with the animatronics company first discussing its concept with Shrine officials in 2016. Pending approval by the A.K. Smiley Public Library Board of Trustees and the Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association, which oversees the shrine, the exhibit could have made its debut during Lincoln Season 2017.

But certain details still had to be ironed out, including funding for the project, whether the shrine would charge the public the view it, and additional project details. The original agreement called for the Smiley Library and the museum to contribute $50,000, which was expected to come from endowments supporting both institutions.

The Lincoln bust had already gained national attention after the production company released a two-minute video on YouTube showing its life-like features. The inspiration for the project came partly from Disneyland’s “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” presentation, a feature that sparked Holt’s desire to create.

The project’s overall concept was developed by Bill Butler, Garner Holt’s director of creative design. Butler, a University of Redlands graduate, promised that the project would provide a magical learning experience.

“It’s kind of neat to see it now and a bit weird,” Butler, a former page at the shrine, said Thursday, July 5, at a preview for the presentation. “I built a model of this exact room and pitched it to Garner in 2006, and here it is now essentially brought to life.”

“Reflections” lasts for about 10 minutes but packs in tons of detail using historic photos and notations from Lincoln; Vinnie Ream, a 19th-century artist who sculpted Lincoln over the course of several months; and writer/activist Frederick Douglass.

The entire presentation takes place behind a backdrop of a 19th Century-inspired sculptor’s set, according to a news release. Veteran Disney actor Peter Renaday voices Lincoln.

“We are glad to have contributed to the education of the community,” Holt said. “I hope they have learned something from this and walked out more patriotic than they came in.”

“Reflections of the Face of Lincoln” will be on display at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, 125 W. Vine St., through Dec. 29. Tickets are $5 each and are for sale at the museum.

To extend its reach into the community, the shrine hopes to let some school groups in at no cost thanks to two donors who contributed $15,000 toward the idea, said Shrine Director Don McCue. Groups will be admitted by reservation only.

Following its run at the shrine, Garner Holt Productions plans to take the exhibit across the country in hopes of recouping costs.